Glanbia launches functional yoghurt

THE Yoplait Essence range has become the first consumer product launched by Glanbia following a €15 million investment in a group innovation centre in Kilkenny.

The company hopes to double its market share from 6% to 12% as a result of the innovation centre, which enables Glanbia to condense naturally-occurring nutrients into shot-sized yoghurt-based drinks.

Marketing director at Glanbia Consumer Foods Joe Collum said: “The Yoplait Essence range was developed to meet the main health concerns of an ageing Irish population.

“This range is the next generation of functional foods providing specific health benefits to consumers in a simple and effective manner. We envisage Yoplait Essence becoming an essential component of Irish consumers’ daily health routine,” he added.

Head of consumer research and development, Denis Carrigan said: “The level of investment by the group in the Glanbia Innovation Centre highlights the strategic focus of Glanbia as a group and the development announced is further validation of that investment decision.”

Glanbia will use technology to attract consumers from the healthy fresh dairy product market and the vitamins and supplements market.

The fresh dairy product market is valued at €230m a year and the functional foods segment of that market is estimated to be worth €85m annually.

The innovation centre was launched last year.